India presses Pakistan for voice samples of 26/11 accused

From Achinta Borah
Thimphu, Jul 24 (PTI) India has pressed Pakistan for
the voice samples of the seven accused in the 26/11 Mumbai
terror attacks and sought speedy trial of the case in that
country to bring to justice the perpetrators of the strikes.
Indian Home Minister P Chidambaram made the request to
his Pakistani counterpart Rehman Malik when they met here last
night on the sidelines of the SAARC Interior Ministers
meeting.
"The Indian Home Minister referred to the requests
made by the Home Ministry some of which were pending with
Pakistan since their last meeting," a joint statement issued
this morning said.
Though the statement did not specify what the requests
were, it said they related to some of those pending with the
Pakistani Interior Ministry.
This was apparently in reference to India's request
for voice samples of the seven accused Pakistan has arrested
in connection with the 26/11 attacks, including LeT's
operations commander Zakiur Rehman Lakhvi.
India has been demanding voice samples of the accused
who were giving instructions to the ten terrorists during the
November, 2008 attack.
Malik also "sought an early response" to some of the
queries by his Ministry in the same context.
"The meeting was held in a cordial atmosphere. The two
ministers discussed matters of mutual interest and concerns,"
the statement said.
Malik said the Pakistan Interior Ministry was working
for an early visit of a Judicial Commission from Pakistan.
The visit is primarily aimed at recording statement of
the magistrate, R V Sawant Waghule, who had recorded the
confession of Ajmal Kasab, the lone terrorist captured alive
during the Mumbai attack.
The joint statement said Malik "expressed that the
visit will take place at an early date. In response, the Home
Minister affirmed that India is willing to receive the visit."
India will also send a team to Pakistan in connection
with 26/11 Mumbai terror attack investigations as agreed
during the Home Secretary-level talks in March in New Delhi.
The two ministers agreed top ensure that their
ministries will remain in contact with each other on this and
other matters, the statement said.
Malik had last night said the meeting was "very good"
and held in a very cordial atmosphere.
Issues of mutual interests were discussed, said Malik,
who on Friday described Chidambaram as his "elder brother".
At the SAARC meet on Saturday, Chidambaram said
terrorism was the "most significant existential challenge" to
peace and security in South Asia and it was the single largest
hindrance to socio-economic development in the region.